by Teresa Teo Guttensohn

Exhibition view of “The Seeds We Sow” at Mizuma Gallery, 2020.
Photo: Teresa Teo Guttensohn

Human intervention in nature is age-old.

How should we tread upon the earth we live and depend on? As a thinking and caring community, we need to engage in thoughtful discourse in order to form a land ethic that can be passed down to future generations.

The ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic must surely drive us to ponder how we humans perceive and connect with nature. It presses home the message that we need to care for humans, nature, land, and the inter-connections between them.

In an ongoing art exhibition titled ‘The Seeds We Sow’, four Singaporean artists do just that by exploring the theme of human intervention in nature through photography and installations.

‘Artificial Conditions (2019)’ by Ang Song Nian – an installation consisting of biodegradable plant pots – ponders the manipulation of plants, nature, terrain and landscape.

Exhibition view of The Colony Archive by Marvin Tang at “The Seeds We Sow” at Mizuma Gallery, 2020.
Photo: Teresa Teo Guttensohn
Exhibition view of Laughing Thrushes, Scolding and Monitor, Swimming by Robert Zhao Renhui at “The Seeds We Sow” at Mizuma Gallery, 2020. © Robert Zhao Renhui, courtesy of the artist and Mizuma Gallery

‘The Colony – Archive (2019 – ongoing)’ by Marvin Tang is a study of botanical gardens established during the former British Empire. Scattered across the globe yet bearing similar aesthetics, they share a common colonial agenda to convert botany and land for economic purposes.

Robert Zhao Renhui
Monitor, Swimming
2019
diasec print
28.3 x 49.3 cm each (framed), 27 x 48 cm each (unframed)
set of 4
edition of 3 + 1 AP
Photo © Robert Zhao Renhui, courtesy of the artist and Mizuma Gallery

‘Monitor, Swimming (2019)’ and ‘Laughing Thrushes, Scolding (2019)’ by Robert Zhao Renhui, are snapshots of the adaptive behaviour of native and non-native species in a secondary forest. Robert Zhao is well known for his constant fascination with man’s controlled coexistence with nature.

Exhibition view of Reclaimed Sculpture: Domestic Landscape by Zen Teh at “The Seeds We Sow” at Mizuma Gallery, 2020. Photo: Teresa Teo Guttensohn

‘Reclaimed Sculpture: Domestic Landscape’ by Zen Teh presents a collage of different landscapes to form a real yet imaginary cliff at Little Guilin.

The use of a refurbished second-hand cabinet is a conscious effort by the artist and educator Zen Teh to reduce waste, and is an invitation for others to do the same.

Artist, Zen Teh with her artwork Reclaimed Sculpture: Domestic Landscape.
Photo: Teresa Teo Guttensohn

The exhibition held at Mizuma Gallery at 22 Lock Road, Gillman Barracks, is on till 19 July 2020. To learn more, visit the gallery’s event site here. Due to COVID-19 safe distancing requirements, you must make an appointment before visiting!

To make an appointment for your visit, please email the gallery at info@mizuma.sg.